Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Barinas Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Barinas

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $61.4 in Barinas, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $93.0 in Barinas, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $125 in Barinas, rent included.

Medellin costs about 1533% more than Barinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and Barinas are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, Barinas 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 COP 18.9K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 105.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.7K

Cappuccino

$1.65 COP 5,276

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 COP 3,514

$0.97 VES 722

13.40%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,491

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 COP 5,484

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 10.1K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 COP 3,521

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 4,015

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,407

$1.12 VES 834

23.21%

Eggs

$2.18 COP 6,950

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.3K

$2.95 VES 2,187

52.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.79 COP 18.5K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.97 COP 28.6K

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 COP 7,405

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,397

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 4,838

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 COP 4,327

$1.11 VES 827

22.52%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,599

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 3,738

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,876

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 2,861

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 7,128

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 38.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 3,793

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,920

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,723

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 132.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,518

$2.98 VES 2,214

-52.35%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,223

$5.07 VES 3,762

-61.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 25.2K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,160

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.6K COP 56.2M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K COP 85.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$83.0 COP 264.9K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.70 COP 30.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 75.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 80.6K

$9.92 VES 7,363

154.64%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.9K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.6K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$316 COP 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 19.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 191.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 101.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 324.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 342.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.6M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 2.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026

Last update for Barinas: July 26, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Medellin vs Barinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,003 in Medellin, $61.4 in Barinas – roughly 1533% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $92.1 in Barinas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $61.4 in Barinas. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 923% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Barinas, where all-in costs run around $61.4, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Barinas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $61.4 in Barinas to $1,003 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Barinas. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.